Vending machine for bottled goods having vertical rotating basket unit



Feb. 19, 1952 R. VENDING MACHINE FOR ROTAT Filed Jan. 3, 1949 ING BASKET T. MAN LEY 2,586,241 BOTTLED GOODS HAVING VERTICAL UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Robe/v 7? Ma/Y/e y avg/g4? ATTORN 4 Feb. 19, 1952 R. T. MANLEY 2,586,241

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS HAVING VERTICAL ROTATING BASKET UNIT Filed Jan. 3, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fiobe/v ZMan/ey BY W w m K? TTORNEY.

Feb. 19, 1952 R. T.'MANLEY VENDING E F R BOTTLED GOODS HAVING VERTIC Filed Jan.

INVENTOR. @o/aem TMan/ey "ATTORh/fi Feb. 19, 1952 R. T. MANLEY 2 6,

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOQDS HAVING VERTICAL ROTATING BASKET UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 3, 1949 INVENTOR. Faber? ZMan/gy Patented Feb. 19, 952

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENDING MACHINE t on BOTTLED oons HAVING VERTICAL ROTATING BASKET UNIT Robert T. Manley, Kansas City, Kans., assignor to The Vendo mpapr.

corporation of Missouri v I g Application January 3, 1949, Serial No. 68,966

5 Claims. (01. 31.2-97.1)-

This invention has to do with machines preferably of the coin-controlled type, for automatically vending articles of merchandise, the primary object being to provide structure for handling a plurality of such articles in a stored condition the magazine in one direction continuously until all of the bottles have been removed therefrom, said means utilizing the principle of gravity thereby eliminating extensive complicated mechanism that would likely cause trouble and require operator attention.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a bottle vending machine having a drum-like compartmentecl magazine mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, the center of gravity of the magazine being offset with respect to its axis of rotation to the end that the magazine tends to rotate in one direction from a given position continuously until all of the bottles have been removed from the magazine.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a rotatable magazine having a'plurality of concentric rows of staggered stalls so formed to successively position the bottles in alignment with an access opening formed in a cabinet within which the magazine isdisposed, said magazine having a relatively heavy object secured thereto adjacent its periphery, the weight of the object being such as to tend to rotate the magazine in one directionfrom a given position and cooperable with the bottles in the stalls to continue such rotation of the magazine as the bottles are successively removed therefrom until the magazine is completely emptied.

A further object of this invention is the provision of mechanism in the form of a novel escapement operable to permit advancement of the bottle-containing magazine step -by-step until all of the bottles have been removed fromthe magazine. m

is to provide a specially 1..

Kansas City, Mo., a

Other important objects relating to details of construction of the aforesaid magazine and the particular form of the escapement just mentioned, will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, where,- m:-

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a vending machine having a. vertical rotating magazine unit, made in accordance with the present invention, the door of the cabinet being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a portion of the front of the cabinet showing the access opening therein. V

Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive are schematic, elevational views of the bottle-receiving magazine showing progressively the various positions thereof from the completely full condition in Fig. 4 to the empty condition of Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing the escapement mechanism ofthe vending machine, parts being broken away andin section to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the escapement mechanism illustrated in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line Xl-XI of Fig. 1.

While the particular form of the cabinet for receiving the operating mechanism of the vending machine about to bedescribed is of no particular significance to the present invention, the same has been shown fragmentarily in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive and is designated broadly by the numeral [0.

This cabinet includes of course, side, end, top,

bottom and back walls in the usual manner to present a hollow interior, the walls all being insulated in any conventional manner because of the fact that bottles of beverages are to be vended thereby and need to be kept in -a refrigerated condition.

A double wall door designated by the numeral 12, shows such construction of the cabinet with insulation l4 therein. This door 12 is hingedly mounted as at [B for swinging movement to and from a closed and preferably normally locked condition. Door I2 is provided with an elongated access opening "3 that has the innermost end thereof partially covered by a plate 20 that is secured directly to the innermost face of wall l2.

This plate 20 is in turn provided with an elongated vertical opening 22 that is formed of three circular segments disposed in a vertical row and merging at their proximal edges in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Each of the three circular segments of elongated opening 22 is of a diameter slightly larger than :the maximum diameter of a beverage bottle 24 to the end that any bottle 24 aligned with such segments, can be pulled therethrough by a potential customer.

A drum-like storage magazinefor the bottles 24, broadly designated by the numeral 26, is rotatably mounted within the cabinet l and particularly upon the rear wall.28 thereof. Magazine 26 includes a pair of spaced apart circular panels 26 and 36, each having an annular inturned flange 32 at the periphery-thereof. These flanges 32 of the panels 29 and 36 are joined by a plurality of spaced apart cross plates 34 that are secured directly to the flanges 62 by welding or other means of attachment.

The plates 34 are also provided with a lateral flange 66 that overlaps a portion of the outermost face of the panel 36 for receivingby means of bolts or the like 38, a wheel-like ratchet member 46. The ratchet 46 includes acircular plate 62 having an annular lateral flange 44 at its periphery, the flange being provided with a plurality of spaced apart polygonal openings 46 throughout the circumference thereof. As shown in Fig. 2, the plate 42 is secured directly to the flanges 36 of plates 34 by means of the bolts 38.

A sleeve 4:: passing through coaxial openings formed in the panel 26. the panel 39 and the plate 42, is secured as by welding, directly to said members, the ends of the sleeve 48 being closed by a pair of rigidly .mounted plugs 56 and 52. Plugs .56 and 52 are centrally perforated for receivinganelongated shaft 54 that extends 46 and is secured directly to the rear wall .28 of cabinet 16 in any suitable manner not illustrated.

A lock washer or the like 56 adjacent the plug 56, prevents movement of the magazine 26 in one direction with respect to shaft 54 and a spring member 58, on the innermost face of a partition 59 spaced from wall 28, bears against the plug 52 and thereby holds magazine 26 against the lock washer 56.

A plurality of stalls are formed in the magazine '26 for holding bottles 24 with their longitudinal axes horizontal and parallel with the horizontal shaft 54. These stalls each'include an inturned circular flange 60 on the innermost face of the panel 36 for receiving the bottom of the corresponding bottle 24 and an opening 62, defined by a circular flange 64, turned inwardly on the panel 26.

It is to be noted in Fig. 2 that the distance between the panels 29 and 36 is less than the over-all length of the bottles 24 and, therefore, the flange 64 supports bottle 24 just downwardly from the neck thereof. The top capped end of bottles 24 are accordingly disposed between the at one end thereof beyond the ratchet.

outermost face of panel 29 and the proximal innermost face of the door l2.

As noted in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and more fully in the schematic illustrations of Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, there are three concentric rows of stalls inthe magazine 26 for the bottles 24. The outermost row of stalls are relatively close together and the row next adjacent thereto is staggered with respect to the outermost row.

capable of having a .bottleereceiving stall formed therein, is left blank.

Through the above description, it is apparent that the axis of rotation of the magazine 26 .is precisely on its geometric center, but, the

center of gravity of magazine 26 is offset with respect to the said axis of rotation thereof because ofthe elimination of a stall for receiving va bottle 24 at point 66. To further oifset this center of gravity of the magazine 26 with respect to its axis of rotation, there is provided a relatively heavy object 68 illustrated in dotted lines only in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive.

This object 68 may constitute any suitable mass of material-that is rigidly secured to the magazine at a suitable point such asbetween the panel 3|] and theplate 42, or directly to plate 42 within the lateral flange 44 thereof.

As illustrated in Figs. 2110 8 inclusive, the object 68 is disposed to oneside of'the axis of rotation of magazine 26 and next adjacent'the periphery thereof. Because of such offsetting of the center of gravity of the magazine 26, it is obvious that magazine 26 will tend 1.3.0 rotate in one direction from a predetermined position .to another predetermined position irrespective of the consideration of other factors. After considering the combined weight of all of the bottles 24, together with the over-all weight of the magazine 26 including all of its component parts, the member 68 is precisely chosen to have sufficient weight to alwaystend to rotate the magazine 26 in the direction indicated by arrows in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive.

With the plurality of staggered stalls formed in the magazine 26 precisely as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive-rotation of the magazine ;26 through a :number of cycles, will consecutively position all of the bottlesiu in alignment with'the slot 22. If, each time -a bottle 24 is positioned in alignment with the slot 22, the same is removed from its stall, the magazine will eventually become completely emptied. Magazine 26 is positioned as illustrated in Figs. 4 when the same is fully loaded with the weighted object 68 to one side of theslot 22 and approaching such slot 22 as the magazine 26 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrows in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

It is notable also, that when the full magazine 26 is in the starting" position, shown in Fig. 4, the blank point-66 thereon is in alignment with the slot 22 and no bottle 24 can be removed from the magazine 26 until rotation thereof commences. 'As bottles 24 are consecutively removed from the magazine 26, the center of gravity thereof shifts sufiicient to' cause the weight 68 to continue movement from the position shown in Fig. 5 'to that of Figs. 6 and 7. In other words, when the magazine 26 is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the weight of the remaining bottles 24 therein,

is sufficient and so positioned as to continue to tend to rotate magazine 26 in thedirection indicated by the arrows. -This constantshift of the center of gravity as the-bottles 24 are coi'isecutively removed, continues as shown in the steps illustrated by Figs. 6 and 7f until the weight 68 returns to the position illustrated-in Fig. 8 that is identical with Fig. 4, said Fig. 8 illustrat sateen ing the magazine 26 completely entirely emptied. Step-by-step rotative movement for the magazine 26, is controlled by the escapement mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 and more clearly set forth in Figs. 9 and 10.

As shown in Fig.- 1, such mechanism is disposed adjacent the lowermost edge of the magazine 26 and includes a supporting plate I that is secured to the partition 59 ofcabinet I0 through the medium of bolts H.

-Plate I0 swingably supports an elongated arm I2 that is pivotally secured thereto through the medium of a pin I4. One end of the arm I2 has a housing 16 formed thereon that reciprocably receives a plunger 58 that is in turn biased toward the flange 44 of ratchet 40 through the medium of a spring 80. One end of the plunger I8 projects beyond the case 16 when held at one end of its path of travel by the spring 80, said end of the plunger being adapted to fit within any one of the polygonal openings 46 formed in the flange 44 of ratchet 40, all as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 9.

A dash pot, broadly designated by the numeral 82, includes a housing 84 provided with a lateral projection 86 that is in turn secured directly to the arm 12 adjacent that end thereof opposite to the case I6 by means of screws or the like 88.

An elongated bar .90 is interposed between the housing 84 of dash pot 82 and the arm I2. Bar 90 is provided with an elongated, longitudinal slot-92 that slidably receives the projection 86 of the housing 84.

The sliding bar 90 is provided with a lateral flange 94 that is secured directly to the outermost free-end of a plunger 96 forming a part of the dash pot 82. The outermost end of the bar 90 adjacent the plunger 96 is also provided with a laterally extending finger 98 that is adapted to enter any one of the polygonal openings 46 of ratchet 40.

A spring I00 has one endthereof connected with the housing 84 of dash pot 82 and the opposite end thereof secured to a portion of the cabinet I0 for yieldably holding the arm 12 at one end of its path of travel with the case 16 biased toward the ratchet 40 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 9.

A solenoid, or like electro-magnetic device I02, is secured to the interior of cabinet I0 immediately below the dash pot 82 and is provided with a reciprocable core I04 that is in turn secured to a short link I06 through the medium of a key I08.

A plurality of links I I0, H2 and H4 operably join the link I 06 with the arm 12. Link H0 is pivotally joined to arm 12 by a bolt H6. Link H2 is pivotally secured to plate I0 by a bolt H8, and the link H4 has pivotal connection as at I20 with the short link I06.

Links H0 and H4 are integrally joined and a common pin I22, pivotally connects the free end of link H2 with links H0 and H4. An electric switch I24 is secured to the plate immediately above the solenoid I02, said switch I24 being provided with an actuating arm I26 that is in turn disposed within the path of travel of the bar 90.

Any one of the usual types of coin-controlled mechanism including a slug rejector if desired, may be utilized with the vending machine forming the subject matter hereof and since such control means forms no part of this invention, it has not been shown herein.

As is well known in the art, such control means can easilybe formed to initiate energization of the solenoid I02 to withdraw the core I04 thereof.

Holding'relays are common in such structures for maintaining the solenoid I02 in an energized condition until such time as the switch I24 is actuated by the slidable bar to deenergize the holding means for solenoid I02. When the core I04 of solenoid I02 is thus withdrawn, arm I2 is swung on its pivot I4 through the linkage H0," H2, H4 and I06 to first move the finger 98 of bar 90 into one of the openings 46 of ratchet 40 that is in alignment with'the finger 98. As arm 12 continues to swing on pivot 14, the plunger-18 will be withdrawn from its opening 46 to permit rotation of the magazine 26 as above described; When magazine 26 commences to rotate, its rotative movement will be retarded by the-action of the dash pct 82 and while magazine 26 rotates, the plunger 18 will ride on the flange 44 between the notches 46 because of the provision of spring 80. As soon as that end of the bar 90 opposite to the finger 98 actuates the arm I26 of switch- 4 I24, solenoid I02 will be deenergized to release arm I2. Spring I00 will then force the finger 98 from engagement with one of the notches 46 and the magazine 26 will continue its rotation until the plunger I8 snaps in place into the next opening 46. As s00n as the finger 98 is released from the ratchet 40, dash pot 82 will force bar 90 toward the outermost end of its path of travel in'the manner illustrated in Fig. 9 through the plunger 96. I

As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, a switch I28 is mounted upon the partition 59 within the path of travel of a projection (not shown) on the ratchet 40, all to the end that an indication can be made of the empty condition of magazine 26 through use of a lamp or the'like, not-shown, and electrically connected with the switch I28.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there has not only been provided a vending machine for bottled goods or like merchandise havin a novel means for rotating the storage magazine therefor, but there has been included an escape ment mechanism permitting step-by-step movement of the magazine to successively dispose-the bottles in a, vending position. The elimination of a large number of working parts in this type of vending machine is apparent which will not only relieve operational difliculties, but materially reduce the cost of manufacture of the entire unit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine of the kind described, a magazine having a plurality of open-end, article-receiving compartments and mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis; a vertical, perforated wall covering the open end of said compartments, the center of gravity of said magazine and the axis of rotation thereof being relatively offset, whereby the magazine tends to rotate from a given set position; and shiftable means normally holding the magazine against rotation and having parts permitting step-by-step rotation of the magazine each time the means is shifted, whereby to successively move said compartments and the articles therein into register with the perforation of said wall.

2. In a vending machine of the kind described, a magazine having a plurality of open-end. article-receiving .compartments and mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis; a vertical, perforated wall covering the open end of said compartments, the center of gravity of said magazine and the axis of rotation thereof being relatively offset, whereby the magazine tendsto rotate from a given set position; and shiftable means normally holdin the magazine against rotation and having parts permitting step-by-step rotation of the magazine each time the means is shifted, whereby to successively move said compartments and the articles therein into register with the perforation of said wall, said compartments being arranged to cause a shifting of the said center of gravity of the magazine, after a predetermined number of articles have been removed from the compartments through said perforation, in a manner to rotate the magazine at least one revolution as shifting of said means is continued.

3. In a vending machine of the kind described, a magazine mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis passing through its geometric center; a plurality of compartments formed in the magazine for receiving articles to be vended and arranged in a number of rows concentric to said f axis of rotation; means on the magazine for maintainingthe same statically unbalanced; and an escapement for controlling the rotation of the magazine in step-by-step fashion, said means being formed and arranged with respect to the compartments to continually tend to rotate the magazine as the articles are singly removed from the compartments at the end of each rotational step and in a predetermined order.

4,. In a vending machine of the kind described, a magazine mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis; a plurality of compartments formed in the magazine for receiving articles to be vended; a weight on the magazine and disposed to maintain the magazine statically unbalancedj and an escapement for controlling the rotation of the magazine to step-by-step movements, said compartments bein arranged to cause a shifting of the center of gravity of said magazine each time an article is removed therefromv and further arranged with respect to the weight to continually tend to rotate the magazine as the articles are singly removed, whereby at least one revolution is imparted to the magazine to dispose all of the magazines to a predetermined, accessible point for article removal. r

5. In a vending machine of the kind described, a magazine mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis; a plurality of elongated, article-receiving stalls formed in the magazine and arranged in rows concentric to the axis of rotation of said magazine with the longitudinal axes of the stalls parallel to said axis of rotation; a wall covering one end of the stalls, said wall having an access openin formed therein between the axis and the periphery of the magazine; a relatively heavy member disposed on the magazine to render the same statically unbalanced;

and means for controlling the rotation of said basket, the weight and position of said member being such as to continually tend to rotate the magazine to successively move the stalls into register with the access opening as said means is placed in operation and as the articles are singly removed from the stalls through the access opening.

ROBERT T. MANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 727,001 Shepard May 5, 1903 842,783 Harrison Jan. 29, 1907 986,490 Morris et al Mar. 14, 1911 1,151,711 Pfieeger Aug. 31, 1915 1,931,741 Sedgebury Oct. 24, 1933 2,254,208 Brock Sept. 2, 1941 2,285,068 Titus June 2, 1942 2,366,399 Harris Jan. 2, 1945 2,474,053 Johnson et al. June 21, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 442,407 Great Britain of 1936 

